Chapter 419
"Miss, rest assured, I have no intention of offending you. I merely wish to befriend you. In this vast sea of people, our meeting is surely fate."
Prince Wu's demeanor was courteous.
His heart, however, was blooming with joy.
Ever since that fleeting glimpse of her graceful silhouette by the Moonfall Lake, that enchanting figure had been seared into Prince Wu's mind, becoming a frequent visitor in his dreams. Whenever he had a moment to spare, he would return to the lakeshore, hoping to catch sight of her again.
Perhaps the heavens had heard his prayers, for today, as he strolled along Moonfall Lake, he miraculously spotted the very maiden he had longed for.
Without hesitation, Prince Wu rented a small boat and swiftly rowed toward the ornate pleasure barge. By sheer coincidence, he noticed someone falling from the barge into the water. Being kind-hearted, Prince Wu immediately dove in to rescue them—and thus seized the opportunity to meet the beauty he admired.
Behind the beaded curtain, Shen Wei was busy tending to the drunken Moxun, who had swallowed a fair amount of lake water and was in poor condition. She had no time to entertain the unexpected arrival of Prince Wu.
"Young master, my lady is occupied at the moment. Here is a set of dry clothes. Please change and then take your leave," Cai Ping said, holding out a fresh set of guard's attire for Prince Wu.
Prince Wu waved his hand dismissively, his tone resolute. "Auntie, wealth and fine garments are but worldly possessions—I care not for them. My only wish is to acquaint myself with your mistress. If fate permits, perhaps we may even forge a marital bond in the future."
Cai Ping's expression darkened instantly.
"How dare you speak such insolence! Have you no regard for your life?" she scolded sharply.
Prince Wu shuddered in fright.
He had never expected a mere maid to possess such formidable presence. His heart quivered with unease, and he surmised that the woman with the captivating silhouette must belong to one of Yanjing City's most powerful noble families—perhaps a princess or the daughter of a high-ranking official.
Yet, Prince Wu remained convinced that if he demonstrated utmost sincerity, the lady would surely look upon him favorably. Reluctantly accepting the clothes from Cai Ping, he said sheepishly, "Very well, I shall change. However, my boat seems to have drifted away. Might I trouble you to allow me to disembark with your lady's vessel?"
Cai Ping relayed his request to Shen Wei, who granted her permission.
In high spirits, Prince Wu hummed a melodious Eastern fishing tune as he changed into the guard's attire in a partitioned area of the barge.
Running his hands over the dry fabric, he marveled inwardly. Truly, the households of Yanjing City's elite were extraordinary—even their servants' garments were exquisitely crafted.
The barge slowly approached the shore.
Prince Wu was politely escorted off the boat.
Instead of leaving immediately, he lingered by the lakeside, waiting for the barge's owner to emerge. A gentle breeze rippled across the water as servants disembarked, carrying the intoxicated Moxun with them.
Clink—
The beaded curtain swayed with a delicate sound.
Prince Wu caught sight of a flowing, cloud-like emerald skirt that shimmered softly under the sunlight. His gaze trailed upward, taking in the slender waist and the wide sleeves fluttering in the lakeside wind.
He was spellbound.
Not even the lake's blooming lotuses could compare to the woman in jade-green robes.
Upon closer inspection of her delicate features, her age was ambiguous, though Prince Wu guessed she might be slightly older than him.
No matter—as the saying went, "A wife three years older brings gold to the door." Age was no obstacle.
His heart pounded with excitement. In that instant, he was utterly certain: this woman was the "extraordinary maiden" foretold by the royal diviner—the very consort he had yearned for all these years.
Suppressing his exhilaration, Prince Wu stepped forward and bowed courteously. "Fair maiden, I am Zhao Ziqi. Might I inquire after your name?"
Shen Wei arched a brow.
Cai Lian whispered, "My lady, shall we have this rogue dragged away and beaten?"
Shen Wei shook her head.
She recognized Prince Wu.
Back when she had disguised herself as the fisherwoman Yuan Xi'er, it was Prince Wu who had unwittingly aided her escape from the Eastern Kingdom.
The young prince was only twenty—earnest, somewhat naive, and refreshingly unconventional. He was also the younger brother of the Eastern Princess. Out of respect for the princess, Shen Wei saw no reason to punish him.
"You saved Moxun, and for that, you have my gratitude," Shen Wei said. "The hour grows late. Return home now, lest your sister worry."
Prince Wu was enraptured.
What a melodious voice!
How could such a dulcet tone exist in this world?
Truly, the woman of his dreams was flawless in every way.
Moreover, from her words, did she know his sister?
Ignoring his guards' attempts to restrain him, Prince Wu pressed forward eagerly. "Fair maiden, since fate has brought us together, might you grace me with your name?"
Just then, the sound of carriage wheels echoed from a distance. Princess Le You's coach arrived by the lake, and she hastily lifted the curtain, rushing toward the barge.
"Mother!" Le You called cheerfully. "Liang Huaichuan hunted a deer today. Shall we have roasted venison for lunch?"
Like a fluttering butterfly, she darted to Shen Wei's side, looping an arm around hers affectionately.
Shen Wei smiled. "Very well, venison it is."
Le You beamed. "I’ve just learned how to roast meat. Once we return to the estate, I’ll prepare it for you myself."
Her eyes crinkled with joy, but as her gaze swept past Prince Wu, she paused. He seemed faintly familiar—the man who had once recklessly stopped her carriage.
"How odd. What are you doing here?" Le You asked curiously.
Prince Wu: "..."
He stood frozen, unable to respond.
Princess Le You's mother… that would make her none other than the legendary Empress Dowager of Da Qing—the very Shen Wei his sister served?
Prince Wu's jaw dropped. Even if he pooled the intelligence of his ancestors for eighteen generations, he could never have guessed that this breathtakingly beautiful woman was the Empress Dowager of Da Qing!
Since when were empress dowagers this youthful?
His legs turned to lead, his mind numb. He had no idea how to react or salvage the situation.
His sluggish thoughts stumbled—what was the punishment for offending an empress dowager? Execution? Extermination of his lineage? The annihilation of his kingdom?
Prince Wu wished the earth would swallow him whole.
Just as the tension reached its peak, another carriage approached.
An opulent royal coach, flanked by stern, sword-bearing guards, drew near.
The heavy curtain lifted.
Guards and attendants alike dropped to their knees in reverence. Even Le You curtsied, greeting cheerfully, "Father! I thought you’d be detained at the palace for two more days. I didn’t expect you back so soon."
Li Yuanjing had resolved a few troublesome matters for his son before hastening back to Moonfall Lake to accompany Shen Wei.
Le You chirped, "Father, stay with Mother for now. I’ll go check on lunch at the estate."
With that, she flitted away.
Li Yuanjing stepped to Shen Wei’s side, noting how lightly she was dressed and how the lake breeze had tousled her hair. He draped a cloak over her shoulders. "The wind is strong by the water. Why linger here?"